MATE TUG CLASS I Job in Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Vacancy No. CEDB-25-12820538-DHA Department U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Salary $42.59 to $54.83 Grade 7 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/21/2025 Close Date 11/5/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Sault Ste. Marie, MI


Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Serves as Mate, of a diesel, Class I, tugboat over 65' feet in length, and displacing 500 gross tons, and has up to 2000 horsepower engine(s) or more.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens.

Duties

  • Ensures vessel is prepared to sail at the scheduled time, is seaworthy, properly crewed and fitted to accomplished assigned mission.
  • Serves as timekeeper for the crew members and assists the Master to evaluate the crew's performance.
  • Navigates the vessel during assigned watch.
  • Observes weather conditions, forecasts, barometer, wind velocity, and other weather indicators to determine suitableness for operation.
  • Works from plans or field notes showing location and extent of work to be performed in removing shoals from channel. Locates area and makes necessary arrangement for accomplishing work.
  • Enforces safety regulations and instructs crew both on safety work procedures and work practices peculiar to floating plant.
  • Assigns port watches for safety and security of vessel and creates the schedule and insures equitable assignment of these duties to employees.
  • Sets port watch schedule for safety and security of vessel. Ensures equitable assignment/rotation of workers.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position is covered by the Civilian Drug Abuse Testing Program. Incumbent is required to sign a DA Form 5019-R. Individual must pass drug test.
  • This position requires a pre-employment physical exam AND annual physical due to the physical requirement of the position.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid state issued motor vehicle driver's license.
  • This position requires incumbent to obtain and maintain a First Aid Certification.
  • This position requires incumbent to wear safety equipment and/or use personal protective equipment (PPE) when needed.
  • This position requires Temporary Duty Travel (TDY) up to 75% of duty time.
  • Shift work is required during open-water (lake) towing operations.
  • Please see "Additional Information" for continued CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYEMENT.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) MATE TUG CLASS I ~ without more than normal supervision for the XH-07 Level. I have the ability to perform common operations of a small boat. I can perform minor maintenance and repairs. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

XH-09 Level: I have the ability to perform common operations of a vessel. I can perform minor maintenance and repairs. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

XH-11 Level: I have the ability to perform operations of a vessel. I can perform common maintenance to deck machinery. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

PHYSICAL EFFORT

Work requires moderate physical effort when lifting up to 40 pounds for loading supplies, winch controls, and performing miscellaneous duties. Work requires walking up and down stairs and ladders, bending, reaching, and standing for long periods. Moderate effort is required during general maintenance work. Coordination of hands, eyes, body, and legs in needed to work safely on wet decks especially when anchored in exposed locations during storms. Close hand and eye coordination is required when operating controls to maneuver vessel and tows in traffic and in confined or narrow areas.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed inside and outside of the pilot house, on deck and in other locations of the vessel where there is danger of slipping and falling overboard and drowning. There is exposure to traffic hazards, especially during foggy and inclement weather including high winds, rough seas, and strong currents and at night; A life jacket is worn at all times while on deck. When making repairs employee is exposed to injuries resulting from working around moving machinery and in cramped quarters and may be exposed to fumes from the oil and lubricants used, danger of burns, irritation from grease and oils, bruises, and strains.

Responsible for operating vessel through channels, rivers and open water under conditions such as combative winds during open lake towing missions and crane operation; extreme currents in river system operations; open water operation to include over 50 miles from nearest harbor or safe refuge; critical open water operation subject to rapidly changing weather conditions, water levels, high waves, and potential for significant changes in under-keel clearance due to sudden lake level fluctuations; navigating under ice conditions during strike operation in early and late operating seasons; and operating narrow channel areas, congested vessel traffic, small shallow harbors.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYEMENT:

XH-11 LEVEL:
Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of:
a. Mate of Self-propelled vessels not including auxiliary sail of less than 500 gross register tons (GRT)upon Great Lakes and Inland Waters (or greater/equivalent).
b. Master of towing vessels upon Great Lakes and inland waters (or equivalent).
c. Radar Observer (Unlimited)

XH-09 LEVEL:
Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of:
a. Mate of self-propelled vessels not including auxiliary sail of less than 500 gross register tons (GRT)upon Great Lakes and Inland Waters (or greater/equivalent)
b. Radar Observer (Unlimited)
Within two (2) years, must obtain a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of:
a. Master of towing vessels upon Great Lakes and inland waters (or equivalent).

XH-07 LEVEL:
Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of:
Mate of Self-propelled vessels not including auxiliary sail of less than 100 gross register tons (GRT)upon Great Lakes and Inland Waters (or greater/equivalent).
Within one (1) year, must obtain a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of:
a. Mate of Self-propelled vessels not including auxiliary sail of less than 200 gross register tons (GRT)upon Great Lakes and Inland Waters (or greater/equivalent).
b. Radar Observer (Unlimited)
Within two (2) years, must obtain a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of:
a. Mate of self-propelled vessels not including auxiliary sail of less than 500 gross register tons (GRT)upon Great Lakes and Inland Waters (or greater/equivalent)

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) 24 Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
The following special programs/incentives may be offered if it is in the best interest of the government:
  • Advanced in-hire (offered to new to federal service employees only)
  • Advanced Leave Accrual (offered to new to federal service employees only)
  • Permanent Change of Station entitlement (PCS)
  • Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume:

  • Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
  • For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
  • Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.
2. Other supporting documents:
  • Cover Letter, optional
  • Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
  • This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/05/2025 to receive consideration

  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12820538).
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
  • You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
  • It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
  • Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Address
RE-W2SM07 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-DETROIT
DO NOT MAIL
Detroit, MI 48231
US

Next steps

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.